To play Youtube in car stereo is reasonably straightforward for music but tricker for videos. For music, all you need is the YouTube music app. But for videos, you’ll usually need to download third-party apps.
How to Play Youtube in Car Stereo?
To play youtube through your car stereo will depend on whether you’re looking to just listen to music or want to watch full videos.
As we’ve discussed, it’s far easier to play music from youtube in your car stereo than videos, so we’ve broken this article into these two options.
Disclaimer: It should go without saying, but it is advised that you do not watch YouTube videos while driving. Not only is it dangerous, but it could get you in legal trouble.
How to Play YouTube in Car Audio System: Music only
Playing music in your car via your car audio system is easy. It would be best if you had the following:
- Internet connection (Unless using YouTube Premium)
- A Smartphone
- the YouTube Music app (Not the normal Youtube App)
- A way to connect your phone via either: USB, AUX, Bluetooth, or wirelessly.
To download the YouTube music app visit the Apple app store or Google Play store, depending on your smartphone device.
- Once you’ve got the YouTube music app, log in and follow the instructions until you get to the music player home screen.
- Connect your device to your car stereo via the usual method. This could be via AUX, USB, Bluetooth. If wireless Carplay / Andriod Auto, you’ll need to have YouTube Premium.
- Play the desired music and enjoy, although you may have to deal with the odd advertisement.
While we don’t recommend this if you’re concerned about data usage or advertisements, you could use a YouTube video downloader and listen to music that way rather than via the YouTube music app.
A top-rated iPhone app is Video Saver PRO+. Similar apps are available for Andriod.
Play YouTube Music in CarPlay or Andriod Auto
The YouTube music CarPlay app (and Andriod Auto) is only available if you are a YouTube Premium subscriber. (At present, $11.99 per month).
So if you want to be able to play through this method, you’ll have to pay. There are serval other CarPlay music apps available if you decide not to. One similar App is Amazon music CarPlay.
Other devices that are restricted to YouTube premium members include:
- Sonos wireless speakers
- Android Clock
- Casting to audio-only devices
- Waze app
- Google Maps
How to Play YouTube Through car Bluetooth Stereo
Playing YouTube through a car’s Bluetooth is much the same process as described above, except you’ll connect using the BlueTooth protocol on your phone and stereo.
How to Play YouTube in Car Audio System: Video
It is more changing to play Youtube videos via your car stereo, and probably better watch on your mobile phone rather than the head unit.
Especially for iPhone users!
But if you want to do so, you will need the following:
- Internet connection (Unless YouTube Premium)
- Smartphone
- YouTube App
- Android Auto Car Stereo, or Andriod Head unit
- Aux cable, USB, or Bluetooth
- Android Auto app or Car Stream App
Android
You have to install Andriod Auto Apps Downloader (AAAD), allowing you to further install apps like CarStream, Fermata, Screen2Auto. These apps will let you mirror your device to the car’s infotainment system.
You can watch the process below:
IOS
For IOS users (aka iPhone users), it is more challenging, but there the 4 main options include:
- Installing an Andriod Stereo / Head Unit
- Using Weblink
- Using a screen mirroring adapter (Aftermarket stereo).
- Using a jailbroken iPhone
The process is slightly more complicated but is outlined in the video below:
If you have a factory head unit, it will be tough to do any of the suggestions.
There are options to jailbreak your iPhone, which will allow you to watch YouTube, but this is not advisable for most people due to the complexity and the that it could void your phone’s warranty.
Non-Head Unit Stereo
Using a basic car stereo with no screen will obviously not allow you to watch YouTube videos through it. However, if you connect using USB, AUX or Bluetooth, you should still be able to listen to the YouTube video.
If you do not have YouTube Premium or Youtube music app, your phone will need to be constantly connected to the internet and screen on (possibly adjusting the locking setting); otherwise, the sound will shut off when the phone locks.
Final Thoughts
If you have an Android or an iPhone and your car has a stereo of some kind, you can play YouTube audio over your car stereo.
It may be trickier to physically watch YouTube videos through your stereo, but it is often possible with the right technical know-how.
See our article on watching YouTube via Apple Carplay for more information on this, though.
Hopefully, now you can then enjoy YouTube videos while you travel. When stationary, of course.
